CN109068925B

CN109068925B - Floor cleaning system

Info

Publication number: CN109068925B
Application number: CN201680084626.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 海科·布吕姆哈尔特; 芭芭拉·普菲斯特; 弗兰克·农嫩曼; 帕特里克·普拉瑟; 克里斯托夫·沃勒
Original assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2016-05-04
Filing date: 2016-05-04
Publication date: 2021-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-04
Also published as: WO2017190785A1; KR20190022458A; CN109068925A; US11000170B2; EP3451889A1; EP3451889B1; US20190069748A1

Abstract

Floor cleaning system (10) with a mobile floor cleaning device (14) comprising at least one cleaning aggregate (74) for cleaning a floor (18), a storage container (82) for containing cleaning liquid, a dirt receiving device (76) for receiving dirt liquid from the floor (18) and a dirt liquid container (84), into which dirt liquid can be transferred, with a docking station (12) for docking to the floor cleaning device (14) of the docking station in a docked position, wherein the docking station (12) has at least one conveying line (26) on which coupling elements (28) are arranged and the floor cleaning device (14) comprises at least one liquid line (104) on which coupling elements (106) are arranged, wherein the floor cleaning device (14) comprises a flushing device (140) on or in the dirt liquid container (84), and wherein, in the docked position of the floor cleaning appliance (14), the coupling elements (28, 106) are coupled to one another in such a way that the storage container (82) can be filled with cleaning liquid via the at least one liquid line (104) and the rinsing device (140) can be supplied with rinsing liquid via the at least one liquid line (104) in order to rinse the dirty liquid container (84).

Description

Floor cleaning system

Technical Field

The invention relates to a floor cleaning system having a mobile floor cleaning device comprising at least one cleaning unit for cleaning a floor, a storage container for receiving a cleaning liquid, a dirt receptacle for receiving dirt liquid from the floor, and a dirt liquid container into which the dirt liquid can be transferred.

Background

With such a floor cleaning device, the floor can be cleaned using at least one cleaning aggregate. The cleaning assembly comprises, for example, a cleaning tool in the form of a rotatably driven roller or disk. To increase the cleaning effect, the floor surface can be loaded with cleaning liquid, usually water, from a reservoir. Additionally, cleaning chemicals may be added to the water. The mixture of dirt and cleaning liquid, i.e. the dirt liquid, can be picked up from the floor by means of the dirt receiving device and transferred into the dirt liquid container. The dirt receptacle has, for example, a suction strip and a suction unit which applies a negative pressure to the suction strip.

The mobile floor cleaning device can be self-moving and self-steering, so that self-cleaning of the floor can be achieved. Therefore, the floor cleaning appliance is in particular a cleaning robot.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the floor cleaning appliance is operated manually. The operator can guide the floor scrubbing apparatus over the floor surface. Alternatively, the floor cleaning appliance can be provided with a drive for the running gear.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a floor cleaning system with improved user friendliness.

This object is achieved by a floor cleaning system according to the invention with a mobile floor cleaning device comprising at least one cleaning aggregate for cleaning a floor, a storage container for receiving cleaning liquid, a dirt receptacle for receiving dirt liquid from the floor, and a dirt container, into which dirt liquid can be transferred, and with a docking station for docking the floor cleaning device to the docking station in a docked position, wherein the docking station has at least one conveying line on which coupling elements are arranged, and the floor cleaning device comprises at least one liquid line on which coupling elements are arranged, wherein the floor cleaning device comprises a flushing device on or in the dirt container, and wherein, in the docked position of the floor cleaning device, the coupling elements are coupled to one another in such a way that the storage tank can be filled with cleaning liquid via at least one liquid line, and the rinsing device can be supplied with rinsing liquid via the at least one liquid line for rinsing the dirty liquid tank.

The floor cleaning system according to the invention has, in addition to the floor cleaning appliance, a docking station. In the docked position of the floor cleaning appliance, the respective coupling elements of the at least one delivery line and the at least one liquid line can be coupled to one another. This makes it possible to fill the storage container with cleaning liquid and to flush the dirt container with flushing liquid via the flushing device of the floor cleaning appliance. Filling the reserve tank with cleaning liquid and cleaning the dirty liquid tank allows the user to obtain savings.

Autonomous movement and/or manually operated operation of the floor scrubbing apparatus is easier for the user.

It may be provided that the reservoir and the dirty liquid container are filled and flushed sequentially, as will be discussed below. It is also conceivable to carry out the filling of the reservoir and the flushing of the dirt liquid container simultaneously.

In a structurally simple embodiment, it is advantageous if the docking station comprises a conveying line on which the coupling element is arranged and the floor cleaning appliance has a liquid line which branches into a first liquid line section and a second liquid line section. In this embodiment, only one transmission line is sufficient for the docking station. In the docking position of the floor cleaning appliance, the supply line is coupled to the liquid line which branches into two line sections. The storage container can be filled with cleaning liquid via the first liquid line section. Via the second liquid line section, the dirty liquid container can be loaded with rinsing liquid. The flushing device can be coupled to or formed by the second liquid line section.

In a suitable manner, the floor cleaning appliance has at least one valve, wherein:

a valve is connected to at least one of the liquid line sections, via which the liquid line section can be selectively released or blocked;

preferably, one valve each is connected to both liquid line sections, via which the respective liquid line section can be selectively released or blocked; or

The liquid line is branched at the valve into liquid line sections that can be released or blocked in a selective manner.

Depending on the switching position of the at least one valve, it can be selected which of the liquid line sections is supplied with liquid. For filling the cleaning container, the first liquid line section can be loaded. To flush the dirty liquid container, the second liquid line section can be loaded. It is also conceivable that both liquid line sections can be simultaneously loaded with liquid.

In a further type of advantageous embodiment, it is advantageous if the docking station comprises two delivery lines with corresponding coupling elements and the floor cleaning appliance comprises two liquid lines with corresponding coupling elements, wherein in the docked position of the floor cleaning appliance the liquid line and one delivery line each are in flow connection with one another and the floor cleaning system has a valve in each of the delivery line-liquid line junctions for selectively releasing or blocking the delivery line-liquid line junction. In such floor cleaning systems, in the docking position of the floor cleaning appliance, two delivery line-liquid line-junctions are formed. Via such a first combination, the storage container can be filled with cleaning liquid. Via the second combination, the dirty liquid container can be rinsed with rinsing liquid. At least one valve is connected to the respective delivery line/liquid line junction, via which the combination can be released or blocked in a selective manner.

Conveniently, the floor cleaning system has a control device coupled to the plurality of valves or the one valve, wherein the plurality of valves or the one valve can be operated by the control device. The control device can in particular control the time sequence for filling the storage container and for rinsing the dirt container. In particular, it is also conceivable to fill the storage tank as a function of demand, depending on the remaining quantity of cleaning liquid or liquid in the storage tank which can be filled in, and/or depending on the degree of contamination of the dirty liquid tank.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that a plurality of valves or a valve is manually actuatable by an operator.

Advantageously, the filling of the storage container and/or the flushing of the dirt container can be carried out in an autonomous manner after docking of the floor cleaning appliance, under the control of the control device. For example, the docking of the floor cleaning appliance can be detected by the control device. Subsequently, the storage container or the rinsing soil container is filled after a predetermined filling and/or rinsing schedule and/or as a function of demand. By automatic filling or flushing, no operator is required to trigger the filling or flushing process. The floor cleaning system is user friendly.

Advantageously, the control device is arranged in the floor cleaning appliance.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the control device is positioned in the docking station.

In an advantageous embodiment of the floor cleaning system, it is advantageous if a plurality of valves or a valve can be actuated in such a way that the filling of the storage container and the rinsing of the dirt liquid container can be carried out in succession. In particular, it has proven to be advantageous if only one supply line is provided in the docking station and a branched liquid line is provided in the floor cleaning appliance, in order to provide as high a liquid pressure and a liquid flow as possible for filling and rinsing.

Preferably, the valves or the valve can be actuated in such a way that the reservoir can be filled first and the dirty liquid container can be flushed next. For example, it can be provided that dirty liquid can be discharged from a dirty liquid container in the docking position of the floor cleaning appliance. The time required can be utilized to fill the reserve container. Advantageously, the dirty liquid container is flushed and cleaned only after the dirty liquid has been drained.

Advantageously, the valves or one valve can be operated in such a way that the filling of the reserve container and/or the flushing of the dirty liquid container can be carried out according to any of the following steps:

-filling with a cleaning liquid and/or rinsing with a rinsing liquid during a predefinable time duration;

-filling with a predeterminable amount of cleaning liquid and/or rinsing with a predeterminable amount of rinsing liquid;

filling with cleaning liquid to a predeterminable level, which can be detected by a level sensor on the storage tank.

In each of the three embodiments described above, it is advantageous to perform an autonomous and automatic filling of the reservoir and flushing of the dirt solution container and to further increase the user friendliness.

Preferably, the floor cleaning appliance has an outflow opening arranged at the outlet of the dirty liquid container and a valve on the outflow opening or on an outflow line coupled to the outflow opening, via which the outflow opening or the outflow line can be selectively blocked or released for emptying the dirty liquid container. In the docked position of the floor cleaning appliance, dirty liquid can flow out of the dirty liquid container via the outflow opening and, if appropriate, the connecting line connected thereto. The emptying process can be started or stopped by means of a valve.

Preferably, the valve can be actuated by a control device which is preferably arranged in the floor cleaning appliance. The emptying process can be initiated autonomously by the control device, for example after docking of the floor cleaning appliance. The end of the emptying process can be after expiration of a predeterminable time duration, after the discharge of a predeterminable quantity of dirty liquid or the identification of a predeterminable minimum level of dirty liquid in the dirty liquid container.

Advantageously, the valve can be actuated in such a way that emptying the dirty liquid container can be performed during filling of the storage container. The time required to empty the dirty liquid container can be used to fill the reserve container.

The valve can preferably be actuated in such a way that the dirty liquid container can be flushed after emptying. In particular, if only one supply line and a branched liquid line are provided, the filling and flushing operation in the docking position of the floor cleaning appliance can be designed as short as possible. The cleaning operation can be started again as soon as possible.

In an advantageous manner, the docking station has a collecting container for the dirty liquid, and the dirty liquid container can be emptied via an outflow opening or an outflow line leading into the collecting container.

It may be provided that the docking station comprises a pumping unit with which the contaminated liquid contained in the collection container can be pumped out and transported towards the liquid treatment system. After or during emptying of the dirty liquid into the collecting container, the pumping unit may be activated and the dirty liquid pumped out. The pumping unit is preferably activatable by the control means of the floor cleaning system.

Advantageously, the floor cleaning system comprises a detection device with which it can be known that the floor cleaning appliance is docked to the docking station. After it is determined that the floor cleaning appliance is docked to the docking station, the control device, for example as described above, can switch one or more valves in such a way that the storage container and/or the dirty liquid container is filled and in particular also emptied. The detection device can be designed in particular electrically or mechanically. For example, in a control device of the floor cleaning appliance, it is detected that the electrical coupling elements of the docking station and of the floor cleaning appliance are in conductive connection with one another.

Advantageously, the cleaning liquid and rinsing liquid are the same, wherein both are preferably water. Preferably, the docking station has only one coupling element for coupling to a liquid supply network and in particular a water supply network on the input side of the conveying line. This saves separate lines.

In an advantageous embodiment of the floor cleaning system, it is advantageous if the flushing device is arranged or fastened on the top wall of the dirty liquid container. This allows the dirty liquid container to be flushed with the rinsing liquid from top to bottom and effectively removes dirt from the dirty liquid container.

Advantageously, the dirty liquid container has a lid forming a top wall. The cover can be supported on the floor cleaning appliance, in particular in a pivotable manner, so that it can be opened and closed. In addition to the dirt container, the cover can also serve as a cover for the storage container.

It should be understood that the outflow opening of the dirt container is preferably arranged at its lowest point.

The flushing device preferably comprises a flushing line with a plurality of discharge openings. The rinsing liquid can be discharged via the discharge opening. Advantageously, the flushing line is formed by or is comprised in a liquid line section of at least one liquid line, as already mentioned above.

In an advantageous embodiment of the floor cleaning system, the flushing line is a ring line. The "annular line" does not necessarily have to be a circular and in particular a perfect circular design of the flushing line. In the present case, a "ring line" is to be understood in particular as a "closed" flushing line.

Advantageously, the rinsing liquid discharged from the rinsing device is directed towards at least one side wall of the dirty liquid container. This allows for scouring of the sidewalls and removal of particles. Advantageously, all side walls are flushed from top to bottom.

It has proven to be advantageous if the floor cleaning appliance comprises a supply line, on which a coupling element is arranged, which opens into the at least one liquid line and to which an external supply line can be manually coupled for supplying the cleaning and/or rinsing liquid. In this regard, the floor cleaning system has greater versatility. The operator can selectively couple a separate external supply line to the additional coupling element. This allows the reservoir to be filled independently of the docking station and/or the dirty liquid container to be flushed independently of the docking station.

As mentioned at the outset, the floor cleaning appliance can be designed to be self-moving and self-steering in order to perform autonomous cleaning of the floor.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the floor cleaning appliance is operated manually. Here, the floor cleaning appliance can be a riding or sitting appliance (sitting on) or a following appliance (walking behind).

Depending on the type of operation, it can be provided that the floor cleaning appliance operates in a self-moving and self-steering manner or in a manually operated manner.

Floor cleaning appliances are in particular wiping suction machines.

Drawings

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings to illustrate the invention in detail. Wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a floor cleaning system according to the present invention comprising a floor cleaning device and a docking station therefor, wherein the floor cleaning device is docked to the docking station;

FIG. 2 illustrates the floor cleaning system of FIG. 1, wherein the floor cleaning appliance occupies a docked position;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective simplified view of the floor scrubbing apparatus with the cover of the two containers occupying an open position;

FIG. 4 shows a view of the cover of the floor scrubbing apparatus of FIG. 3, schematically from the bottom part; and

fig. 5 shows, in part, the floor cleaning system of fig. 1 by means of a schematic block diagram.

Detailed Description

The figures show a preferred embodiment of a floor cleaning system according to the invention, which is provided with the reference numeral 10 and is referred to below simply as system 10. The system 10 includes a docking station 12 and a mobile floor cleaning device 14, hereinafter referred to simply as device 14. The system 10 is positioned in the position of use on a vertical surface 16 which at the same time forms the floor 18 to be cleaned.

Positioning and orientation designations such as "above," "below," etc. are understood based on the location of use of the system 10 on the ground 16. In the use position, the system 10 defines a touch plane coincident with the riser 16. Without limitation, it may also be assumed that the riser 16 and the touch plane are horizontally coincident.

The docking station 12 includes a housing 20 that forms a receiving space 22 in which the various actuators, fluid lines and electrical lines are housed.

In particular, the docking station 12 is coupled to a liquid supply network, in particular a water supply network, by means of a coupling element 24. The coupling element 24 is arranged at the end on the conveying line 26, and at its opposite end a further coupling element 28 is arranged. A valve 30 is connected to the supply line 26, which valve can be actuated, for example, via a control line 32.

Via the coupling element 34, the docking station 12 can be coupled to an electrical energy supply network. The coupling element 34 is arranged on an electrical line 36, on the other end of which a coupling element 38 is likewise arranged. The electrical line 36 may have a plurality of individual lines and, for example, via a control line 32 branching off from the electrical line 36, may be used on the one hand for supplying energy and on the other hand for transmitting electrical switching signals and/or electrical control signals. It is also conceivable to perform the energy supply and the transmission of the electrical switching signal and/or the electrical control signal via separate lines.

Further control lines 40, 42 branch off from the electrical line 36 and are connected to electrical switching elements 44, 46 in the form of relays. With the switching element 44, the electrical line 36 can be released for releasing the charging current path from the coupling element 34 to the coupling element 38. With the switching element 46, the electrical line 48 can be released, which branches off the electrical line 36 and loads the pumping unit 50 of the docking station 12 with electrical energy.

The docking station 12 includes a collection container 52 for dirty liquid of the device 14. A conveying line 54 to the base station 12 opens into the collecting container 52, and a coupling element 56 is arranged on the input side at this conveying line 54. On the output side, a processing line 58 with an end-side coupling element 60 is coupled to the collecting container 52. The pumping unit is connected to a treatment line 58 in order to jump the property out of the collecting container 52 and to deliver it to the liquid treatment network via a coupling element 60.

A sensor element 62 is arranged on the collecting container 52, with which the dirty liquid level in the collecting container 52 can be detected. Via a signal line 64, an associated level signal can be provided.

A control line 66 branches off from the electrical line 36, via which control line 66 a drive 68 can be controlled, as will be discussed later.

The device 14 includes a housing 70 having a chassis 72 held thereon on the underside for travel over the ground 18. The device 14 also comprises a wiping suction machine, i.e. a cleaning unit 74, which has, in particular, at least one cleaning tool (not shown) in the form of a roller or disk which can be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation. A further cleaning assembly is provided in the form of a dirt receiving means 76. The dirt receptacle 76 comprises a suction strip 78 and a suction assembly 80 (not shown in fig. 3) which applies a negative pressure to the suction strip 78.

The device 14 further comprises a reservoir 82 for cleaning liquid, in particular water. Further, the apparatus 14 includes a dirty liquid container 84. In operation of the system 14, cleaning liquid from the reservoir 82 can be used for applying the cleaning liquid to the floor surface 18. Under the action of the cleaning unit 74, the floor 18 can be cleaned, wherein the cleaning liquid is used to increase the cleaning effect. Additionally, cleaning chemicals may be mixed in. The mixture of dirt and cleaning liquid, i.e. the dirt liquid, can be picked up from the floor surface 18 by means of the dirt collecting device 76 and deposited as dirt liquid in the dirt liquid container 84.

In the device 14, the reservoir 82 and the dirty-liquid reservoir 84 are formed according to the advantageous container-in-container principle. The reservoir 82 surrounds a dirty liquid container 84 and is bounded laterally by an outer wall 86 and an inner wall 88 of the housing 70 and by a bottom wall which is not shown in the drawing. The inner wall 88 forms a side wall 90 of the dirty liquid container 84. The side walls 90 and a bottom wall, not shown in the drawings, define a container interior space 92 (fig. 3).

On the upper side, a container opening 94 is arranged on the storage container 82 and a container opening 96 is arranged on the dirty liquid container 84. A rim 98 extending on the outside on the housing 70 surrounds the

container openings

94 and 96.

The apparatus 14 includes the cover 100 as an integral part of the housing 70, the cover forming the top wall of the reserve tank 82 and the dirty liquid tank 84, respectively. The cover 100 is now pivotable about a pivot axis 102 on the housing 70 and may be opened and closed.

To load the reservoir 82 and the dirty-liquid container 84 with liquid, the device 14 comprises a liquid line 104 with a coupling element 106. The coupling element 106 is arranged on a front side 108 of the device 14 facing the docking station 12 in the docked position.

"front side" refers to the longitudinal or primary direction of motion of the device 14.

A liquid line 104 passes through the housing 70 and extends into the cover 100 at a hinge for supporting the cover 100. It splits into a first liquid line section 110 and a second liquid line section 112.

Respective valves

114, 116 are connected to the

liquid line sections

110, 112, with which the liquid line 104 can be selectively released or blocked at the

respective sections

110, 112. The

valves

114, 116 can be actuated by a control device 122 of the system 10 via

control lines

118, 120. The control means 122 are currently arranged in the device 14.

The branching of the liquid line 104 into the

liquid line sections

110, 112 is currently effected in a valve housing 124, which accommodates the

valves

114, 116. The valve housing 124 is accommodated in an accommodation space 126 which is formed between an outer wall 128 and an inner wall 126 of the cover 100 which is currently double-walled.

The first liquid line section 110 has a discharge opening 132 on the end face on the inner wall 130. In the case of a flow connection via the liquid line section 110, the liquid line 104 forms a filling line for filling the storage tank 82. The cleaning fluid can be discharged via the discharge opening 132 and flow through the container opening 94 into the container interior of the reservoir 82.

The sensor element 134 in the storage tank 82 is coupled to the control device 122 via a signal line 136 in order to transmit information to the control device about the level of the cleaning liquid in the storage tank 82.

The second liquid line section 112 exits the receiving space 126 and forms an annular line 138. The annular line 138 is fastened on the underside to the inner wall 130 and comprises a plurality of outlet openings, which are not shown in detail. The annular line 138 is a flushing line of a flushing device 140 for flushing the dirty liquid container 84. The rinsing liquid is directed onto the side wall 90 of the dirty liquid container 84 above the position of the outlet opening on the ring line 138, so that the side wall can be flushed from top to bottom and particles adhering to the side wall can be detached.

A sensor element 142 is arranged on the dirty liquid container 84 and is coupled to the control device 122 via a signal line 144 in order to provide the control device 122 with a signal relating to the liquid level in the dirty liquid container 84.

Also disposed on the dirty liquid container 84 is an outflow opening 146 to which an outflow line 148 is coupled. The outflow line 148 has a coupling element 150 on the end side. A valve 152 is connected to the outflow line 148, which valve can be acted upon by the drive 68 in a docking position of the device 14, which will be explained below.

The device 14 further comprises an electrical line 154 having a coupling element 156 arranged thereon, which can be coupled with the coupling element 38 of the line 36. Via the electrical line 154, for example, at least one battery 158 of the device 14 can be charged.

The function of the system 10 will be explained below.

The device 14 may be a self-traveling and self-steering floor cleaning device (floor cleaning robot) with which self-cleaning of the floor 18 can be performed. The control device 122 can control the movement of the device 14 when controlling the drives for the chassis 72 and the cleaning aggregate.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the device 14 is operated manually and that the operator guides the device 14 on the ground 18. An actuator for the running gear 72 may be provided. The operator can act on the device 14 by means of a schematically shown handle 160 (fig. 1 and 2), which in particular comprises gripping means.

As in the operation of the system 14, as mentioned, cleaning liquid from the storage tank 82 is used for loading the floor 18. The dirty liquid is transferred to the dirty liquid container 84. Thus, during operation of the apparatus 14, the liquid level in the reserve tank 82 decreases and the liquid level in the dirty liquid tank 84 increases.

To fill the reserve container 82 and rinse the dirty liquid container 84 and empty the dirty liquid container, the device 14 may be docked to the docking station 12. The device is here moved from the undocked position (fig. 1) to the docked position (fig. 2), either by itself or under the guidance of the operator. In the docked position,

coupling elements

28 and 106, 38 and 156, and 56 and 150 are coupled to one another.

If separate lines for the energy supply and for the switching signals and/or control signals are used instead of line 36, different individual lines can likewise be provided instead of line 154; instead of the two coupling elements 38, 156, separate coupling elements can be provided for the energy supply on the one hand and for transmitting the switching signal and/or the control signal on the other hand.

The device 14 has a detection means 162 to identify that the device 14 is docked to the docking station 12. The detection device 162 is currently also formed by or comprised in the control device 122. For example, using the electrical energy of the battery 158, the control device 122 can detect a current flow through one of the switching elements 44, 46 when the device 14 assumes the docked position and the coupling elements 38, 156 are coupled to one another. It may also be provided that an electrical contact bridge is formed via the docking station 12 when the device 14 occupies the docked position. The resulting current flow through the docking station 12 through the contact bridge may be detected by the control device 122.

When the occupation of the docking position is detected by the control device 122, the reservoir 82 and the dirty-liquid container 84 can be filled, emptied and flushed, for example, as explained below. In particular, the filling process, the emptying process and the flushing process can be triggered autonomously and thus to some extent "automatically" by the control device 122 without intervention by an operator.

After docking, control device 122 may manipulate valve 30 via control line 32 to release the fluid connection via delivery line 26 and liquid line 104. The

coupling elements

28, 106 may include self-opening (and self-blocking) valves that automatically open when the device 14 is docked or automatically close when undocked.

First, the preference valve 114 is actuated by the control device 122 via the control line 118, so that the liquid line section 110 is released. Accordingly, the liquid line section 112 is blocked by means of the valve 116. The storage tank 82 is filled via the feed line 26 and the liquid line 104 and in particular the liquid line section 110 thereof. The filling process can be carried out for a predeterminable duration until a predeterminable amount of cleaning liquid is filled or until a level in the reservoir 82 is detected by means of the sensor element 134.

Further, the dirty liquid may flow out of the dirty liquid tank 84. To this end, the control device 122 can activate the drive device 68 via the control line 66. As a result, the valve 152 is actuated and a flow connection occurs from the dirty liquid container 84 via the outflow line 148, the

coupling elements

56, 150 and the feed line 54 into the collecting container 52. Preferably, the dirty liquid reservoir 84 is emptied and the reserve reservoir 82 is filled. Thus, the duration of the stay of the device 14 at the docking station 12 may be kept as low as possible.

The control device 122 can also activate the pumping unit 50 by: the switching element 46 is switched via the control line 42 to release the line 48. When the pumping unit 50 is activated, the contaminated liquid may be pumped from the collection vessel 52 and delivered to a liquid treatment network. It is possible here to activate the pumping unit 50 already when emptying the dirty liquid tank 84 or to activate the pumping unit 50 only when a predeterminable liquid level is present in the collecting tank 52, which can be detected by means of the sensor element 62. It is also contemplated that the pumping unit 50 may be activated periodically.

After emptying the dirty-liquid reservoir 84, the control device 122 can actuate the drive 68 again, so that the valve 152 blocks the outflow line 148.

Subsequently, the soil solution container 84 is rinsed and cleaned. It is advantageous here for the control device 122 to actuate the valve 116 for releasing the liquid line section 112. Advantageously, the liquid line section 110 is blocked by means of the valve 114 during the flushing process, so that the flushing device 140 can be subjected to a liquid pressure as high as possible. The rinsing liquid is discharged from the rinsing device 140 and rinses the side wall 90 from above downwards.

The control device can then operate the valve 30 via the control line 32 to block the delivery line. The

valves

114, 116 may also be manipulated to block the

liquid line sections

110, 112.

Possible rinsing liquid in the dirty liquid container 84 can be removed from the dirty liquid container 84 and transferred into the collecting container 52 by actuating the valve 152 again by means of the drive 68.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable, in contrast to the above description, to actuate the valve 152 during the flushing of the dirty liquid container 84 in order to release the outflow line 148. After cleaning the dirty liquid container 84, the rinse liquid may flow into the collection container 52.

It is also possible for at least one battery 158 to be charged via the

lines

36, 154 when the device 14 is docked.

As can be seen in particular from fig. 4, the device 14 comprises a conveying line 164 on the cover 100. The feed line 164 opens into the liquid line 104 in the receiving space 126 upstream of the valve housing 124. On the end side, a coupling element 166, which is currently designed as a hose connector, is arranged on the conveying line 164.

An external supply line, not shown in the figures, can be coupled by an operator to the coupling element 166 in order to load the delivery line 164 with liquid, in particular water. Liquid flows into the valve housing 124 and from there selectively into one of the

liquid line sections

110, 112 to fill the reservoir 82 and/or the flushing dirty liquid container 84. It is conceivable that which of the

valves

114, 116 releases or blocks the respective

liquid line section

110, 112 can be predetermined to the apparatus by an operator via the operating device 168.

The self-blocking valve arranged in the coupling element 106 ensures that, when an external supply line is coupled, no liquid can escape from the liquid line 104 when the device 14 is undocked.

In addition to the possibility of filling or flushing the storage container 82 and the dirty liquid container 84 with the mechanism of the docking station 12, such a filling or such a flushing process can thus be carried out with an external supply line coupled to the conveying line 164.

A self-blocking valve and/or closing element 170 can likewise be provided on the coupling element 166, so that no fluid is discharged via the delivery line 164 when the liquid line 104 is subjected to fluid loading by the docking station. Fig. 4 shows the closure element 170 in a disengaged state from the coupling element 166.

The arrangement of the coupling elements 166 and the course of the conveying line 164 can also be different. For example, the coupling element 166 is positioned such that it is accessible to an operator without opening the apparatus 100.

List of reference numerals

10 floor cleaning system

12 docking station

14 floor cleaning device

16 vertical surface

18 ground

20 casing

22 accommodating space

24 coupling element

26 conveying line

28 coupling element

30 valve

32 control circuit

34 coupling element

36 electric line

38 coupling element

40 control circuit

42 control circuit

44 switching element

46 switching element

48 electric line

50 pumping unit

52 collecting container

54 conveying line

56 coupling element

58 processing circuit

60 coupling element

62 sensor element

64 signal line

66 control circuit

68 drive device

70 casing

72 running gear

74 cleaning assembly

76 dirt receiving means

78 suction strip

80 suction unit

82 reserve container

84 dirty liquid container

86 outer wall

88 inner wall

90 side wall

92 container inner space

94 container opening

96 container opening

98 edge

100 cover

102 pivot axis

104 liquid line

106 coupling element

108 front side

110 liquid line section

112 liquid line section

114 valve

116 valve

118 control circuit

120 control circuit

122 control device

124 valve housing

126 accommodating space

128 outer wall

130 inner wall

132 discharge opening

134 sensor element

136 signal line

138 ring line

140 flushing device

142 sensor element

144 signal line

146 outflow opening

148 outflow line

150 coupling element

152 valve

154 electric line

156 coupling element

158 battery

160 handle

162 detection device

164 conveying line

166 coupling element

168 operating device

170 closure element

Claims

1. Floor cleaning system with a mobile floor cleaning device (14) comprising at least one cleaning aggregate (74) for cleaning a floor (18), a storage container (82) for containing cleaning liquid, a dirt receiving device (76) for receiving dirt liquid from the floor (18) and a dirt liquid container (84) into which dirt liquid can be transferred, and a docking station (12) for docking the floor cleaning device (14) thereto in a docking position, wherein the docking station (12) has at least one conveying line (26) with a first coupling element (28) arranged thereon and the floor cleaning device (14) comprises at least one liquid line (104) with a second coupling element (106) arranged thereon, wherein the floor cleaning device (14) comprises a flushing unit (84) on or in the dirt liquid container A washing device (140), and wherein, in the docked position of the floor cleaning appliance (14), the first coupling element (28) and the second coupling element (106) are coupled to one another such that the storage container (82) can be filled with cleaning liquid via the at least one liquid line (104) and the rinsing device (140) can be loaded with rinsing liquid via the at least one liquid line (104) for rinsing the dirty liquid container (84).

2. A floor cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the docking station (12) comprises a conveying line (26) arranged with a first coupling element (28) and the floor cleaning device (14) has a liquid line (104) branching into a first liquid line section (110) and into a second liquid line section (112).

3. A floor cleaning system according to claim 2, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (14) has at least one first valve, wherein:

-a first valve into at least one of the liquid line sections (110, 112), via which the liquid line section (110, 112) can be released or blocked in a selective manner; or

-the liquid line (104) is branched at the first valve into liquid line sections (110, 112) that can be released or blocked in a selective manner.

4. A floor cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the docking station (12) comprises two delivery lines with respective first coupling elements and the floor cleaning device (14) comprises two liquid lines with respective second coupling elements, wherein in the docked position of the floor cleaning device (14) the liquid lines and the delivery lines, respectively, are in flow connection with each other and the floor cleaning system (10) has a second valve in each delivery line-liquid line-junction for selectively releasing or blocking the delivery line-liquid line-junction.

5. A floor cleaning system according to claim 3, characterized in that the floor cleaning system (10) has a control device (122) which is coupled with the first valve and which can be operated by the control device.

6. A floor cleaning system according to claim 5, characterized in that filling the reserve container (82) and/or rinsing the dirty liquid container (84) can be performed in an autonomous manner after docking of the floor cleaning appliance (14) under control by the control device (122).

7. A floor cleaning system according to claim 5, characterized in that the control device (122) is arranged in the floor cleaning apparatus (14).

8. A floor cleaning system according to claim 5, characterized in that the first valve is operable in such a way that filling the reserve container (82) and rinsing the dirty liquid container (84) can be performed sequentially.

9. A floor cleaning system according to claim 8, characterized in that the first valve can be operated in such a way that the reserve container (82) can be filled first and the dirty liquid container (84) can be rinsed next.

10. A floor cleaning system according to claim 5, characterized in that the first valve is operable in such a way that filling the reserve container (82) and/or rinsing the dirty liquid container (84) can be performed according to any of the following steps:

-filling with cleaning liquid to a predeterminable level, which is known by means of a level sensor (134) on the reserve container (82).

11. A floor cleaning system according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (14) has an outflow opening (146) arranged at the dirty-liquid container (84) and a third valve (152) on the outflow opening (146) or on an outflow line (148) coupled thereto, via which third valve (152) the outflow opening (146) or the outflow line (148) can be selectively blocked or released for emptying the dirty-liquid container (84).

12. A floor cleaning system according to claim 11, characterized in that the third valve (152) is operable by a control device (122).

13. A floor cleaning system according to claim 11, characterized in that the first and third valves (152) or the third and second valves are operable in such a way that emptying the dirty liquid container (84) can be performed during filling of the reserve container (82).

14. A floor cleaning system according to claim 11, characterized in that the first and third valves (152) or the third and second valves are operable in such a way that flushing of the dirty-liquid container (84) can be performed after emptying the dirty-liquid container (84).

15. A floor cleaning system according to claim 11, characterized in that the docking station (12) has a collection container (52) for dirty liquid, and the dirty liquid container (84) can be emptied via the outflow opening (146) or the outflow line (148) into the collection container (52).

16. A floor cleaning system according to claim 15, characterized in that the docking station (12) comprises a pumping unit (50) with which dirty liquid contained in the collecting container (52) can be pumped out and transported to a liquid handling system.

17. A floor cleaning system according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the floor cleaning system (10) comprises detection means (162) with which the docking of the floor cleaning device (14) to the docking station (12) is known.

18. A floor cleaning system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cleaning liquid and the rinsing liquid are the same.

19. A floor cleaning system according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the flushing device (140) is arranged or fixed on the top wall (130) of the dirty liquid container (84).

20. A floor cleaning system according to claim 19, characterized in that the dirty-liquid container (84) has a lid (100) forming the top wall (130).

21. A floor cleaning system according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the flushing device (140) comprises a flushing line with a plurality of discharge openings.

22. A floor cleaning system according to claim 21, characterized in that the flushing line is a ring line (138).

23. A floor cleaning system according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that rinsing liquid discharged from the rinsing device (140) is directed to at least one side wall (90) of the dirty liquid container (84).

24. A floor cleaning system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (14) comprises a second delivery line (164) which is arranged with a fourth coupling element (166), which second delivery line opens into the at least one liquid line (104) and to which fourth coupling element (166) an external supply line can be manually coupled for delivering cleaning and/or rinsing liquid.

25. A floor cleaning system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (14) is designed to be self-moving and self-steering.

26. A floor cleaning system according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (14) is manually operated.

27. A floor cleaning system according to claim 2, characterized in that the floor cleaning device (14) has at least one first valve, wherein:

a first valve is connected in each of the two liquid line sections (110, 112), via which the respective liquid line section (110, 112) can be selectively released or blocked; or

28. A floor cleaning system according to claim 11, characterized in that the third valve (152) is operable by a control device (122) arranged in the floor cleaning apparatus (14).

29. A floor cleaning system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cleaning liquid and the rinsing liquid are identical, the docking station (12) having only one third coupling element (24) for coupling to a liquid supply network on the input side of the conveying line (26).

30. A floor cleaning system according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the rinsing device (140) comprises a rinsing line with a plurality of discharge openings, which rinsing line is formed by or comprised in a liquid line section (112) of at least one liquid line (104).

31. A floor cleaning system according to claim 4, characterized in that the floor cleaning system (10) has a control device (122) which is coupled with the second valve and which can be operated by the control device.

32. A floor cleaning system according to claim 31, characterized in that filling the reserve container (82) and/or rinsing the dirty liquid container (84) can be performed in an autonomous manner after docking of the floor cleaning appliance (14) under control by the control device (122).

33. A floor cleaning system according to claim 31, characterized in that the control device (122) is arranged in the floor cleaning apparatus (14).

34. A floor cleaning system according to claim 31, characterized in that the second valve is operable in such a way that filling the reserve container (82) and rinsing the dirty liquid container (84) can be performed sequentially.

35. A floor cleaning system according to claim 34, characterized in that the second valve can be operated in such a way that the reserve container (82) can be filled first and the dirty liquid container (84) can be flushed next.

36. A floor cleaning system according to claim 31, characterized in that the second valve is operable in such a way that filling the reserve container (82) and/or rinsing the dirty liquid container (84) can be performed according to any of the following steps: